I never noticed the corrugation on the Blackbird before. Why is it there? Is it for the expansion of the aircraft due to the high temperatures the skin runs at?

"Major portions of the upper and lower inboard wing skin of the SR-71 were actually corrugated, not smooth. The thermal expansion stresses of a smooth skin would have resulted in the aircraft skin splitting or curling. By making the surface corrugated, the skin was allowed to expand vertically as well as horizontally without overstressing, which also increased longitudinal strength. Despite the fact that it worked, aerodynamicists were initially aghast at the concept and accused the design engineers of trying to make a 1920s era Ford Trimotor — known for its corrugated aluminum skin — go Mach 3" - From Wikipedia

I hope I am not doing something wrong here, but I wanted to get the thread back on track if I might.

So I will ask a question If anyone thinks I shouldn't ask one then We will ask to delete it.

Ok here we go,
What was the name of the first C-130 Made, and what did it retire as?

Herky

Jeremy - I'm pretty sure you are referring to this, but please clarify your question. Do you want to know what happened to this specific bird at retirement ?

It's OK with me if someone else wants to ask a question.

(In fact, I was going to ask if Rowan would like to ask the next question )

As for the C-130, the first aircraft built (although not the first to fly) was YC-130, s/n 53-3396 (c/n 082-1001).

It was later converted to an NC-130A.

The early C-130s were referred to as "Roman nosed" (see photo posted by Chuck) but I don't know if the first prototype had a unique name.

Hi there

I hope the answer to the second half of the question isn't something dreadful like: it retired as a restaurant or a garden-furniture warehouse!

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rowan,
Well 1001 53-3396 was broken up at Robins, GA and 1002 53-3397 was broken up at Indianapolis, IN so I guess they were called "Scrap" and "Junk" ? Both started life as YC-130's and ended as NC130's

Ohh nooooo ! Even worse!

I will rephrase the question a little, It was the first production C-130 in Active duty, she ended her career as a different MDS, It wasnt scrapped or destroyed. however you guys are correct in the answers you gave. I just asked it wrong..




Herky

First production C-130, s/n 53-3129
known as the "First Lady"
converted to AC-130A in 1968
retired in 1996
preserved at USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, FL.

Thats correct, pretty easy question I guess, well back to you again!!!!


LOL

Herky

Fortunately there are plenty of references on the web (including one called HerkyBirds.com ) and even a nice article on the "First Lady" ( http://www.gunships.org/1stlady.html ).

OK, for the next question, who is this and what was unique about him (and for bonus points, how or where did he get his nickname)?

Oh no, not again...

(I will not answer any more trivia questions.)
(I WILL not answer any more trivia questions.)
(I will NOT answer any more trivia questions.)

OK. As a clue I will answer the second part of the question.

He was "the only bearded pilot in the RAF."

He was shot down and wounded over Malta before making a name for himself in North Africa.

Hi Kenneth

Sorry - I was out of action for a few days through work. It's Ernest "Imshi" Mason.

All the best

Rowan

It is indeed!

Good on you, mate.

(I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on how or when he acquired his nickname. I thought it might have been in Malta or North Africa but, apparently, "imshi" is also considered "service slang.")

Hi Kenneth

Well I'd always heard that "Imshi" acquired the nickname thanks to his habit of wearing Arab clothing while posted in the Middle East - but that may be totally hearsay! It'd be a good story to try to get the bottom of, if anyone has any info...

Meanwhile, and moving things on - what was this majestic beast? And, if it's a clue, the nose gunner is firing a 37mm cannon!



All the best

Rowan

Its a MI,,,err,,,I mean,,
is it a Short Sarafand?
Nige

Hi Nige

It's British, but it's not a Short....

All the best

Rowan

With that 37mm cannon it ought to have been named after a city in Western Australia, but that had an enclosed cockpit and since this has an open cockpit it must be the aircraft from which that was developed.

Hi Kenneth

You've described it so perfectly without actually naming it, I'll have to give it to you!

Turning your answer around to quote from Armament of British Aircraft 1909-1939 (MBS 1971):

"(Blackburn) Perth. The ultimate development of the Iris family of flying boats..." - which is what's pictured here - the Blackburn Iris.

Well done! And over to you for the next one.

All the best

Rowan

Well, I was in fact trying to answer the questions without actually answering it

Moving right along... what is this curious little airplane?

Hi again

Well I'm loath to answer this one. If anyone needs a clue, check out the speculation about a certain new Hasegawa jet fighter kit and work backwards...

All the best

Rowan

For some reason the general appearance of the aircraft seems the scream "Dassault"

Hi Chuck

I know what you mean... but look closely at the wing plan-form. ( Why am I saying this? It's not my question! )

All the best

Rowan